Jillian Chantal

For this week, we are using the word mug and I sure wanted to use it in this way, “You and your ugly mug…” but alas, I couldn’t work it in. I went a little more traditional instead. Hope you like it. I am continuing Lanett’s story this week.

Check out the other stories here.

“The good news is maybe our least favorite people will leave. If I know Amanda, she won’t want to be out of her own bed if there’s a blizzard.” Lanett cast her eyes around the bar and noted how many people had ready left, including, it seemed, some of the staff. “I think Simon may need that help already.” She stood.

Ian rose from his barstool as well. “Do you know how to mix drinks?”

“I can make a few but I really excel at uncapping beers.”

“Useful skill to have.” Ian led the way to the bar, lifted the gate and let Lanett pass him into the area.

“Thanks for coming to the rescue, love.” Simon stepped over and handed Lanett a clean apron. “Put this on. No need to ruin your dress.”

“Don’t you think these people will go home?” Ian asked as he tied a half-apron around his waist.

“Some will but the hard core ones won’t. A lot of the regulars live in walking distance and will stay here until  I shut it down then they will stagger home, maybe falling on their arses in a snow bank.”

“Maybe? More like will.” Ian laughed as a patron stepped forward to place an order for a round of beers for the men at his table.

Simon showed Lanett how to pour from the tap without forming a head on the ales. She was happy to learn the new skill. At least the whole night hadn’t been a waste of time. Who was she kidding? Any moment with Ian, even the scene a few moments ago was time worth spending.

When the tray of beers was ready to deliver, Ian started to pick it up but Simon raised his hand. “Let me do that, mate. No sense it wasting it all over the floor.”

Ian looked a little relieved that he wasn’t going to have to attempt to carry the full mugs across the bar but he said, “I could do it if I needed to, little brother.”

“You go on and keep deluding yourself there. A posh bloke like you would trip and fall in a second and then I’d be out the cost of the beer.”

“I’d prove to you that you’re wrong but I’d rather stay here with the lovely Lanett and let you do the leg work.”

“Isn’t that always the way? You always want to hang with the ladies.”

Ian winked at Lanett. “Nothing wrong with that.”

This week’s word for Tuesday Tales is catch. Check out all the other writers and their use of the word here. Some great stories out there for sure.

“Travel advisories are now in effect. The storm has made a turn and up to eighteen inches of snow are expected overnight. It’s recommended that everyone stay where they are for the foreseeable future. The city transit system will be closing at eleven p.m.  If you can get safely home in that time, do so but don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

A mass exodus from the bar occurred as soon as the lady announced the closure of the subways.

Ian looked at Lanett. “You could make it home if you left now. As much as I’d like to see you home, I’ll stay with Simon in case he needs help.”

“I’m staying as well. I’ve been on the subway after a baseball game and that’s nothing like people in a frenzy to get home. No thanks. I’ll take my chances on having to sleep on the floor of a bar over the squish of humanity under the ground.”

“You may regret those words.” Ian glanced down. “That floor is disgusting. I don’t think there’s a cure for whatever you might catch from sleeping down there.”

“Hey, it’s your brother’s place. I can’t help it if he doesn’t clean it.”

“The important parts are pristine. The carpet, not so much.”

This week’s word is random and there are quite a few of us Tuesday Tale-rs writing to this prompt. You can check the others out here.

This week’s post for me takes place in the bar owned by the hero’s brother and the two men have just had an argument. Lanett is taking Ian to task about his words to his brother.

“You weren’t very nice about it. Your tone of voice was as if you were talking to a four year old.” She took a sip of the hot coffee. It was delightfully hot and the whiskey made it burn in a good way all the way down her throat.

Ian’s face registered shock. “I guess I owe him an apology. I was spoken to in such a manner last night and can’t have him being as upset with me as I am with the person who talked to me that way.”

“Let me guess who yours was. That nasty nurse at your office?”

“How’d you know?”

“That was easy. She’s trouble looking to happen and, oh my—”

“What?”

Lanett pointed to the door.

Ian turned around by shifting his whole body. “Brilliant. That’s great, isn’t it?”

“Looks like you have a stalker.”

He faced Lanett. “I’m afraid you’re more correct than you think. What am I going to say to her? Why is she here?”

“You think Nasty Nurse has really followed you here?”

“I’m not sure about followed since I haven’t seen her since I left work yesterday but she did ask me out for a drink last night.”

“Oh.” Lanett put her hand over her mouth, more than a little stunned that the woman would be so bold as to ask her boss on a date. “Could this merely be a random thing? Her showing up here or does she know this is your brother’s place?”

“I imagine she knows. I’ve never tried to keep it a secret.” Ian took a sip of his coffee.

“What are the chances of us both having people we don’t want to be around show up here at the same time we did?”

“What? Who’s here you don’t want to see?”

“Amanda and the others.” Lanett tilted her head toward the table where her three friends—well, two friends and one former pal—sat.

After he looked over, he smiled a kind of half-smile. “You at least could’ve figured on yours being here since I understand from Simon that she’s kind of a regular.”

“You’re right there. I should’ve suggested another location.”

“What’s done is done. We’ll make the most of it while we have this drink and then get out of here.”

“You promised Simon to stay and help.”

“I can always come back later. After all, I have a key to the place.”

“What place is that?” the nasty nurse arrived at their table and interrupted the conversation.